The Wisdom of Youth ----- 1997 Fujino Shizuru held a classmate of hers, a boy who had been picking on the others lately, in a tight headlock behind Momoyama Elementary School. He struggled against her as his face began swell red and purple as the blood was prevented from properly circulating. His fingernails dug into her arm, leaving noticeable marks behind. Other children were cheering her on in hopes that that bully might learn his lesson. She didn't really care about the rest of them. He'd insulted her, and he had to pay the consequence. She had just transferred in from Kyoto International's grade school at her father's request only to run into this fool and his taunting of how 'the foreigner spoke funny.' She spoke Japanese well enough, but she hadn't taken to it as quickly as she had her mother's Russian. The distinct Kyoto accent that practically defined her as an adult hadn't manifested at the time. Her mother-like aunt spoke fluent Russian and English. Her father spoke the Kyoto-ben flavor of Japanese. Shizuru's accent, as a child, was all over the place and the source of endless harassment. So, when she had been talking to a fellow classmate, and accidentally slipped into Russian in her enthusiasm, that boy had laughed at the top of his lungs. "Stupid Fujino and her Commie talk. Get the hell back to Siberia, white girl." Which left them in their current position – Shizuru with her teeth gritted in rage and mercilessly strangling him. When she had thought it enough, she let go and promptly kicked him roughly to the ground, marching away with a snarl still on her face. He began to wail loudly, like an infant, and finally caught the attention of various attendants on the playground. They snatched Shizuru up and brought her to the principal, where she was taken home by her father after he arrived. The ride home was essentially silent, Fujino Shin only giving her one warning. "Shizuru, when someone insults you, physically reacting to it will only get you into trouble. At all times, you should attempt to ignore it and maintain peace. If you cannot, then use your words and your wit. Only when someone you care about is threatened should you ever resort to physical action." That was essentially the calm before the storm, because it only got worse after that. Shin only had the time to bring Shizuru home before heading back to work as his lunch break concluded. That meant that she was going to spend the rest of the day at home with her nanny. The worse came when her aunt Kaori, Shin's domineering sister, came by after hearing what had happened. The woman, very Japanese in looks and very traditional in her etiquette, expected Shizuru to be nothing less than an aristocratic lady at the tender age of six. Shizuru sat before her, looking up at the cold and emotionless woman, waiting for a harsh lecture. It certainly came, spoken in almost venomous Japanese, disappointment and perhaps malice dripping from her tongue. "What a despicable child, to behave in such a manner. The Fujino women represent grace and dignity. Don't you know how far back our family line goes? We have a reputation to uphold, lest we become even more of a mockery. It was bad enough having my brother walk around Kyoto with that Russian giant of a wife your mother was, towering over him like that. The last thing we need is for you to act like... like... the Cossack barbarian you are, getting into fights. You repress all that anger and bury it before you cause your relatives grief," Kaori hissed. "Excuse me?" A voice called. Tanya Dragunova, the only aunt Shizuru cared for, walked into the room, having arrived after also hearing word. The expression on her face was one of livid rage, having never enjoyed any of the Fujino family members save for her brother-in-law. She marched toward Kaori but halted. "Shizuru, go to your room for a minute." Kaori narrowed her eyes into slits, and Shizuru hesitated for a moment. Tanya's gaze gradually incorporated enough authority to where Shizuru moved willingly, fleeing up the stairs. She tossed her backpack into her room, and slammed the door, pretending to have gone inside. In reality, she stood in the hallway, eavesdropping on the fight that was about to occur. After several moments of loaded silence, Tanya continued. "Who the hell do you think you are talking to her like that, suka?" Shizuru heard, picking up on the Russian word for 'bitch.' "You are not her mother." "Neither are you," Kaori countered. "Since you seem to be incapable of teaching her proper manners - not that I blame you given your own behavior - it is my responsibility to see that that damn mix can be salvaged into a suitable family member." Tanya tightened her fists. "If you want to rear a child, you should stop being so unnaturally fixated on your brother, actually find a man who can stand you, and have some offspring of your own. Until then, stop trying to take Milena's place." "How very hypocritical of you, Dragunova. It just goes to prove that with those kind of genes, that girl will be nothing but a walking disgrace to my family. I don't know what my brother saw in that whore of a sister of yo--" She was cut off. "Keep talking and I'll see to it that you walk out of here with at least one black eye, you conceited fool. I don't care what you say about me, but if you insult my sister I will not hesitate to make sure you learn never to do it again." Kaori tightened her jaw, glared, and turned to walk out of the room. She stormed through the door, yet shut it delicately behind her. Tanya remained stationary for many moments after she had left, glad the Japanese woman was too 'refined' for an actual fight. Dammit, she didn't have Milena's patience or tact. Every time Kaori or one of Shin's other relatives came at her with such insults, she only wanted to prove them right. Her sister had brushed them all aside for the sake of togetherness, acting as if nothing hurt her – all because of the love she had for her husband. Tanya didn't have that connection. She remained only for her niece. Tanya turned and headed up the stairs, pausing as she saw Shizuru standing there, calm as could be despite what had just happened – a miniature version of her mother. It stung. "You don't like minding me, do you? I didn't want you to hear that." The six year old version of Shizuru simply stared at her, not moving, and not speaking. Perhaps she would just have to get used to being insulted – at school as well as in the home. She was only then reaching an age of understanding the disdain the Fujino family held for her. Tanya, struggling with her own inner emotions, dropped to her knees and pulled Shizuru into a firm hug, breaking only to plant a kiss onto the girl's forehead. "You are not a disgrace to anyone," Tanya gently spoke in Russian. "There is nothing for you to be ashamed of, regardless of whatever anyone may say. They're wrong. You are a wonderful child, Shizuru, and I'm proud of how strong you are to handle everything." Shizuru's Russian came more freely in those days, before she had been fully submersed into Japanese. She replied in kind. "Insults don't mean anything, then." "No, they don't. You know what? If anyone insults or hurts you, then it's just proof that you don't need them. Their opinions shouldn't matter to you." Seeing Shizuru's gaze fixed on the floor, Tanya lifted her chin and said, "The real world can be a scary place, so know that no matter what happens, I'll always love you." That was something she would certainly always know. She grew up with her distinctly Japanese eyes and nose and with her well defined Russian face, teased for a good long while in elementary school by classmate and Fujino relative alike. Even after her father, the only decent Fujino of the group, died of what many thought was heartache over his lost wife, Shizuru let the insults slide off her. School had always been hell. By the time they had gotten bored with taunting her about her ethnicity, they had simply regarded her as that social outcast shy girl. She was never rude. She was never gruff. She did not glare or fight, like a certain someone. Shizuru just smiled and tried her best to be kind, her voice becoming distinctly Kyoto-ben as she got older. When she had transferred to Fuuka during her junior high days after being awarded the same scholarship the other HiMEs received, things changed dramatically. She became... popular. That accent and that family name earned her a high ranking with the strangers she now attended classes with. She earned a fanclub, for god sakes. It had honestly quite scared her at first, but after practice, it became tolerable to be the center of attention. She never let anyone see her weak side. Until, of course, she met someone who reminded her very much of herself – angry, alone, and bitter. It was in those common personality traits, even if Shizuru's remained buried, that the two became friends. The first genuine friend either had, really. - - - She was still bewildered by what had happened. In fact, she'd been taken so off guard by Shizuru's sudden departure and request to be alone that she'd been having a shitty week all together. Natsuki was lost in her own thoughts, pondering just what the hell could have happened. Tanya hadn't said anything. Shizuru wasn't returning calls or going to the door. So, what in god's name was wrong? Was she mad at Natsuki or not? The biker found herself, in her state of unrest, succumbing to an old habit. She was skipping her gym class. It was amazing what one mention, a lie, of 'women's troubles' could do in terms of getting out of doing anything. She got a note, and was excused. She got her points for the day. Nothing to worry about except her friendship. She walked through a barren campus, all the students inside classrooms. Natsuki sigh as she walked. It was either something that she failed to notice around them that had gotten Shizuru upset, or just... that damn relationship thing. She really didn't want to deal with or think about that. If that was the case, what the hell could she do about it? Was she just going to have to fuck her in order to even remain her friend? Maybe it could all be fixed by a long discussion. Not that Natsuki could even talk to her right now. She walked behind the playing fields and into the very vast field that was next to the Academy, content with being alone until she saw a familiar young girl sitting underneath a tree. The blonde child was reading a book, an open bag of some snack food or another resting next to her. Natsuki furrowed her brows and approached from the side. Her usual guardian was not there to even watch her. The girl looked up as she approached, and once she was close enough, Natsuki said, "Why aren't you in class?" Alyssa stared at her for a moment, perhaps wondering why she of all people was lecturing her about cutting class. "Why aren't you?" "I have an excuse." Well, it wasn't a total lie. She waved the slip the teacher had written as proof of her claim. The ten year old moved one eyebrow up in mild curiosity, but said nothing further on Natsuki's own absence from her course, preferring to just answer and leave it at that. "Class bores me. The teacher keeps taking my books away when I'm trying to read." Natsuki's eyes darted down to the book. Certainly thick, and certainly not a novel of any kind. It was an academic book one would see alongside someone attending university, not a ten year old elementary student. The title looked like it was something about engineering and electronics, of all things. The girl was too smart for her own good. No wonder she was absolutely bored. Searrs had crammed eighteen or more academic years worth of information into her young mind, and then she was expected to sit there with the other ten year olds and learn about things she'd already covered? Natsuki sat down on the grass in front of her. "Yeah, well, it used to bore me too, and look what happened. I got held back. So let's not have you go down that road. You should try to see if you can't dual enroll with the high school or something. It'll actually, you know, challenge you." "Perhaps," Alyssa said. She gently picked up a packet of ketchup from her side and smeared it over french fries already laden with the same sauce. Natsuki made a face as Alyssa plopped a saturated fry into her mouth. Gross. "Where's Miyu? Isn't it dangerous for you to hang around by yourself?" Natsuki inquired. "Miyu is in class, maintaining her cover. She doesn't know I'm out, though I'm quite capable of looking out for myself," Alyssa replied, then leaned in with a small smile. "You won't tell on me, will you?" "I will if you keep skipping. You're going to your next class," Natsuki ordered. "Who do you have for a teacher, anyway?" "Murata-sensei," Alyssa said, referring to the elderly woman who also instructed a few courses at the junior high. Natsuki had been in a class of hers once before, and instantly found herself shivering at the memory. No wonder Alyssa wasn't enjoying school. "I see now. That old hag sent me to detention more times in one week than all my other teachers have during my entire time here. She's offended if you breathe," Natsuki recalled, thinking back on her mandatory class with the woman. "I... had to take her for band. They require it at junior high." This seemed to catch Alyssa's attention, who laughed almost dryly as she pictured Natsuki playing, well, anything. "Oh, yeah? What did you get conned into playing?" She looked away, slightly embarrassed. Band was never her strong suit. Akane played the clarinet with great skill. Shizuru was an expert with the piano. But Natsuki? "Um, lots of things. I started with the oboe, then moved to a violin, then Murata-sensei finally gave up and just gave me a drum. Because I could hit something. I really have no musical aptitude." Alyssa chuckled as she glanced down at her book again. "I've heard." Damn the legend of the karaoke party and all those involved with spreading the tale (Tokiha would pay). It had become well known around campus, and every once and a while some asshole would come up to her and ask to see her in that god awful costume or ask her to sing. She gave the child a small sigh, but said nothing on the matter. Alyssa smiled a bit, amused be her discomfort, and changed the subject. "I heard Shizuru-sama's aunt took her to Moscow as a graduation present. Is that true?" Alyssa asked, bringing up the one person Natsuki had been trying to not concentrate on for at least five minutes. Thanks a lot, blondie. "Yeah." "That must have been a nice trip, seeing another part of the world like that," Alyssa commented. "Not many people have a chance to ever travel that far away. What did you get her?" "Uh..." I was supposed to get her something for graduation? Alyssa blinked. "Nothing? At all?" Natsuki shifted where she sat, suddenly uncomfortable and paranoid. "I didn't know I had to!" Alyssa slapped herself in the face. "Are you not her best friend? Who else is going to make a fuss out of a rather large life milestone like a high school graduation? You nitwit, go get her something. I lived my life in a laboratory and I still manage to know that. This is sad." A ten year old was calling her a nitwit. Perfect. She gripped her pant legs, wondering just what the hell she was supposed to get. She hated buying gifts. She seldom did, and usually it was only when she had to. Which was apparently now. Had she made a fool of herself by not doing anything? Shizuru always bought her things. The leather jacket wrapped around her torso was proof of that. Natsuki sighed. Still pondering, she stood up, and pointed to the school. "We have two minutes before the warning bell goes off. I'll walk you back," Natsuki almost grumbled. "Not even a card, Natsuki?" The blonde just had to push it, staring at her with those icy eyes. She was almost as bad as Mai. A short, blonde, evil mastermind version of Mai. Übermai. Natsuki bent down, grabbed one of those fries absolutely covered in far too much ketchup, and shoved one roughly into Alyssa's mouth, silencing her for the next several moments. "I liked you better when you were trying to kill me. Now quit making me feel bad or you're getting locked in the nearest daycare with the rest of the tots." - - - Kuga Natsuki was efficient and highly competent when it came to three things: motorcycles, combat, and cooking with condiments. With everything else, she was clueless. For several days (all with no contact from the Kyoto stealth ninja) she struggled with what exactly she could do or buy for a belated graduation present. A card was for sissies. Flowers were also for sissies and could deliver the wrong message. She supposed it would have to be something meaningful. Then, just as April was about to end, she finally made a choice. She pulled out her phone, went to her list, and selected Fujino from a grand total of five choices (Mai, Fujino, Afro, Yuuki, and Tanya). After a few rings, it actually picked up. "Hello?" "Are you home?" "Yes, why?" "Stay there." She hung up. The ride to Shizuru's apartment was quick and familiar. Natsuki took the nearest lift, holding a large (but unwrapped, because that was a skill she did not have) box in her hands. She shifted it to one hand, wrapping her arm under it, as she approached Shizuru's door and knocked three quick times. The door opened, revealing someone she hadn't seen for days on end, looking quite... normal, despite having been missing in action for so long. Shizuru looked on in surprise before moving to the side, allowing the biker to enter. Natsuki set the gift down on the couch, and then turned back around to face the other woman. "Ah, I'm glad you finally picked up. Is everything all right with you? What happened?" Shizuru set down her cup of tea on the counter and gently shrugged. "I'm quite all right now. I apologize for running off with no explanation and then hiding myself away. You were probably worried. I just... saw someone in the crowd around us that I did not want to see. Someone from the Carnival, let's say. Other than that, I've just been enjoying time by myself." It was partially the truth, but she figured that shouting out all of the issues regarding their relationship would have not been productive. Natsuki, on the other hand, sighed a bit in relief, glad that it was not apparently anything she had done, as far as she knew. That must have meant someone Shizuru encountered during the destruction of the First District. The others involved in the Carnival were mutual friends. "I see," Natsuki said, not wanting to press the issue. She shifted her feet. "Since you were in Russia for a while, and I haven't gotten to see you much, I didn't really get a chance to give you anything for graduation, and, well, I'm horrible with gifts... so..." Okay, she was making an ass of herself now. She flinched and grabbed hold of the generic, unmarked box, offering it to Shizuru, who looked at her in surprise. The Kyoto woman daintily grabbed either side and hoisted it up before putting it down on the end table next to her, opening it up. Natsuki held her breath, not entirely sure how this would go. Shizuru removed the standard foam keeping the object protected, tossing it aside, and pulled out something black and red. It's surface shined underneath the lights above. A... motorcycle helmet – the exact kind that Natsuki wore, right down to the color. Shizuru looked at her, not sure what to make of it, subtly requesting explanation. Kuga fixed her eyes on the wall behind her, unable to look her in the eyes. "It's for when you and I go out riding on the Ducati. Your own, so neither of us have to worry about cracking our skulls open. We haven't really been out much on the thing lately, so... you want to go? I can swing by my apartment on the way out of town and give you one of my other suits to wear, if you want." Shizuru was quiet for a moment, which was doing nothing for the breathe Natsuki was holding in anticipation. Then, as she felt herself ready to pass out, Shizuru managed a small smile and said, "Sure. I'll grab my coat." She put the helmet down for a slight moment to retrieve a coat for the ride to Natsuki's apartment (after which, the promised biker suit would give her well enough protection against the wind). As Shizuru rummaged through her closet, Natsuki let her eyes wander along the counter. Coins, keys to her car, and a slip of paper that had only one line written on it. 'Aya: 078-475-9836' Natsuki found herself staring at it for several long moments, knowing full well what it probably meant, but not letting it sink in. So perhaps Shizuru had spent her alone time... not so alone. It was a good thing, wasn't it? Shizuru moved behind her, and she turned around quickly, hoping that she hadn't been caught. If she had, Shizuru wasn't saying anything. The woman picked up her new helmet and slipped it over her head, fastening the straps underneath. "Ready when you are," Shizuru said. Something felt hollow, but after having spent about a week apart, Kuga felt no need to complain, should she just ruin it more. The pair exited the apartment and made the quick run to Natsuki's, where Shizuru ran up to change. The woman returned in a leather, form fitting suit that was similar to the one Natsuki had on. It fit, though it was a might tighter on her in certain areas where Kuga was lacking assets. And for a moment, she let her eyes linger, not really thinking about what she was doing. Shizuru was beautiful as always, but she looked much better when she smiled. Sliding back on the back, she took hold of Natsuki's waist, giving her a light hit on the side to indicate she was ready. Natsuki put down her visor again and gave the engine a roar before taking off down the street, not minding the speed limit. As always, she felt safe to do so with Shizuru, who had long since gotten used to such things. When they got to the last stop light before hitting the freeway out of town, Shizuru spoke up. "Where are you taking me?" She asked. "Kyoto." Before Shizuru had time to say anything further, they were off again, heading onto the freeway and getting up to the proper speed before going even faster. It was very much like the old days, when they use to just drive around for hours after school, Natsuki taking her all around Fuuka, showing her where her own favorite (or infamous) scenic locations were. Very seldom had they made the trip to and from Kyoto. So, as Natsuki rocketed down the freeway, weaving between cars, it felt very nostalgic and welcome after all that had happened. Shizuru's hands were gripping her stomach, but not with the usual tenacity and possession they tended to have. It was a loose grasp, Shizuru only touching her to prevent from falling off. Kuga frowned underneath her helmet. While some things always remained the same, she guessed, some things certainly changed. Aya, huh? Natsuki accelerated further, feeling the wind toss her hair around. Shizuru's grip tightened. Well, if that was the only way to do it, so be it. For about they rode on, Shizuru eventually telling Natsuki to get off the freeway and take a more scenic route. She did so, taking a more country road up through wooded areas outside the city. Again following Shizuru's instructions, she headed up to a hill, where she parked the bike. The pair got off, Shizuru walking forward, up further, leaving Natsuki to catch up. She watched her move, her mind still... slightly troubled. Whatever. Natsuki finally moved, following Shizuru up the path. It opened up into a hill overlooking the city. They'd been there once or twice before. Shizuru sat down on the grass, Natsuki joining her. The biker turned her gaze in Shizuru's direction, who seemed fixated on the city itself. "You don't want to actually go down there?" Shizuru was silent for a bit, her focus never wavering, her eyes looking as if a thousand thoughts were running through her mind. She hadn't really felt comfortable in public since she saw that boy staring at her with that blank look at the restaurant. Who knew how many of the people who survived the attack and could easily point her out? Staying out of sight was for the best. She turned to look at Natsuki then, offering her a reassuring smile. "No, I think I'd much rather watch it from afar, if you don't mind. It's more peaceful up here." Shizuru watched as Natsuki turned her attention back to the city below, leaning back and relaxing. Perhaps if it had been earlier, she would have attempted to lean against her after saying something melodramatic to the point of being funny. Now, she kept her distance, keeping a few feet between them. She wasn't going to chase her anymore, but she would try, she would try very hard, to remain her friend. She only hoped that Tanya had spoken a word of truth to her. After a half an hour of silently watching the city, Shizuru stood and headed back to the bike, seeing dusk approach. "Ara, you should let me drive us back." Natsuki froze in her tracks, Shizuru looking back to see her childishly shaking her head as rapidly as possible. "No damn way, not after you dinged up the very first one I had. It took weeks to get all the scratches out." "I've gotten better since then," Shizuru argued. "Didn't I make it down Fuuka's main street without difficulty a few months ago?" "That was one little street. You're talking the freeway, now, and a hour of travel. I don't think so," Natsuki decided, gripping onto the keys. Shizuru stared at her hand for just a few seconds before springing forward as if she were going to outright attack the biker. She went straight for the keys, but Kuga pulled back, not willing to release them so easily. Shizuru moved again, ducking behind and pinning Natsuki's hand against her back. The biker twisted around and moved forward, the wrestling match continuing with both girls protesting to each other's actions. At long last, Shizuru tripped Natsuki and sent her falling to the ground, the keys landing a foot or so away. Both scrambled to get to them in time, but it was only Fujino Shizuru who emerged victorious. Wasting no time, she sprinted to the bike and climbed onto it, leaving Natsuki to ride on the poor bitch seat she'd been traveling on for far too long. Natsuki stood, pouting and fearful about what was going to happen here. She sat on the rear of the bike, grabbing onto Shizuru tightly. There was a rule to be followed - take no chances when dealing with Fujino and machinery. Shizuru started the bike, and Natsuki practically sobbed, emitting a high pitched whine. "Oh, stop being such a baby," Shizuru said, and she revved the bike once. Natsuki's grip tightened further, her fingers threatening to leave bruises on Shizuru's stomach. Shizuru managed to turn the bike around and head back down the path with minor incident. So far, so good. It was when they were ready to turn onto the road out of there that things went awry. Shizuru accelerated too fast, and put the bike into a wheelie. Despite her grip, Natsuki slid off the back and landed on the ground with a thud and a yelp. Shizuru landed the bike on the ground just fine, and turned around, watching Natsuki scramble to her feet. "Ara, hang on, will you?" Shizuru said. "I'm dumping all your damn tea down the sink when we get to back to your place," Natsuki hissed. She hopped back up on the back of the bike, still quite frightened about the rest of the journey home. She clung to Shizuru's side like her life depended on it. Which it very much did, knowing her. With a final deep breath, Natsuki told her to go ahead. To Natsuki's amazement, the girl who appeared to be so opposite from her managed to expertly ride the bike back into Fuuka without anything bad happening. She was actually quite good at it, for someone who was never allowed to touch it until now. Natsuki's threat of dumping all her tea was nothing more than a bluff, and, after saying goodbye, the biker went home. Shizuru stared down at her new helmet, resting her fingers on the edges of it. It hadn't been... too terrible. Putting the helmet into her closet, she thought that friendship might very well be salvageable if she kept her wits about her. The phone rang, and she meandered over to it, picking it up. She smirked just a tiny bit. "Ara, I was wondering when you would call."
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